Sign language educational doll

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for a doll for demonstrating sign language elements, particularly the American Manual Alphabet (“AMA”). The doll comprises an electromechanical arm and hand controllable to demonstrate sign language. The doll also comprises an audio means for vocalizing the verbal equivalent of the AMA sign, and a display means for displaying the Latin alphabet equivalent of the sign language element. The doll also comprises an electronic controller including a circuit board, a processor, a memory and interface headers. The doll includes an electromechanical arm and hand with solenoid and spring driver moveable components. A method of demonstrating sign language with an electromechanical hand is also provided. The hand is controllable to demonstrate sign language either on demand or in sequence, and in combination with audio components including the alphabet song, and visual components.

Description

1. TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic devices which teach or demonstrate sign language. The present invention relates specifically to a doll that serves as a means for teaching sign language both visually and audibly. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Technology relating to communication with sign language may be divided into three major areas: educational devices used to teach sign language; systems that provide a means for inputting data into a computer using sign language; and devices that receive input from a computer keyboard then demonstrate sign language using some form of hand. Educational Devices [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,215 (“215”) to Sparks discloses an educational apparatus for teaching the American Manual Alphabet (“AMA”) to individuals, especially to the blind and / or deaf. The apparatus consists of a plurality of three-dimensional moulded figures of the human hand mounted on a base and each formed in a respective letter ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] A method of demonstrating sign language with a doll having an electronic control device, an audio output device, a visual display device and a plurality of joints manipulatable by a flexional device comprising the steps of: controlling the manipulatable joints in at least

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of the '215 apparatus is that the apparatus can only demonstrate the final hand positions of the AMA letters and not the required interim movements.

A further disadvantage is that the '215 apparatus is limited to visual demonstration of the AMA.

Finally, the apparatus is not engaging for children and therefore has limited educational potential.

The Kuch patent is limited to providing visual images of hands which demonstrate finger positions and does not provide a physical hand that can be looked at and touched and so is uninteresting to children.

The above data input systems are limited to taking sign language as input; they do not demonstrate or teach how to perform the finger movements of sign language.

Such a design is not suitable or convenient for a doll.

Further, the hand in the '444 patent consists of cable-pulled fingers, which is impractical in a doll.

The disclosure that the electromechanical arm can not effectively demonstrate the more complicated hand movements required for letters such as J or Z. Finally, the controlling means requires input from the typewriter means, and it cannot operate autonomously.

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